The present monograph introduces a model of Beats-and-Binding phonology (B&B phonology), embedded in the epistemological framework of Natural Linguistics. B&B phonology operates with units called beats (B s) and relations called bindings. The syllable is epiphenomenal in the B&B approach to phonology and thus at most is a consequence of the operation of the B&B preferences. Universal phonotactic preferences follow directly from the binding preferences and unanimously refer to the Optimal Sonority Distance Principle. In order to demonstrate the explanatory potential of B&B phonology, a...